It only took 6 months , but we have an offer on our house in VA. Our expected closing date is February 15, 2008. WOW, what a ride! We are sooooo thankful that we can now move on in our lives. The Virginia chapter can be closed for good in just a few short weeks.
This was a huge test of faith for us. At times we were very angry with God and had so many question of why this is happening to us. A lot of people said that the Lord will show up in time, He is never late. I knew this to be true, but one look at our checkbook – wellllllllll we thought He was late. Looking at this from another vantage point and still being in the middle of it, we can say that He did show up in time that He was not late.
As we look back at this whole situation surrounding the sale of our house and why we had to sell it, we know that there is going to be lessons that will peer out for years to come. It was painful going through a situation where our friends (for the lack of better terms – they were leaders of a faith community and did not treat us as friends) lacked the faith to trust God with their finances and placed me and my family in a tough situation. Now the positive, which completely outweighs what has been done to us because it is what He has done for us; we are in a healthier situation, our faith grew, we are closer to family, and we have more of a solid direction for the future. Praise God for how He works no matter how it plays out!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
They Like Jesus
I was very reluctant to read this book. The reason being is that Kimball’s other tow books left me with more disagreements than agreements. I was so surprised by this book. It is a book that I will be referring to in years to come. I loved how Kimball challenged the leaders to be missionaries, something that has been on my heart for years now. The amazing thing is that I can know pick up his other two books and probably find more agreements. “They Like Jesus” really communicates Kimball’s heart and so you can take his other books and process them clearly and with a more open heart. Maybe it is that I have grown a little too since the time I read his other books.
Anyway, I believe that the hot topic that this book addresses and the church, in general, will need to address is women in leadership. I believe that this presidential election will have the deep ramifications on the church. I have a feeling that the next president will be a Democrat. I also believe that Hilary Clinton has a strong chance at it. Now I say this not knowing who I will vote for yet. I still have to complete my own research on the candidates. But, if Clinton does win the presidency, this will force the church to re-think the issue of women in leadership. If the church, in general, remains dogmatic about not having women in key leadership roles, then those churches will dye a slow death (my opinion). I am not saying that the pastors are men and then women can be “directors” of ministries. This is a side step of the issue that people outside the church can see right through. If a woman can run the country, why can’t a woman be a leader of a church? That will be a question that many outside the church will ask the church. Now, I understand that there are churches that have women pastors and elders. I am not thinking about these churches. I am talking about the churches who are still passionate and dogmatic about this issue.
This issue just stood out to me the most of all the issues Kimball wrote about. All the other issues are valid and the church needs to think, pray, and have tough conversations to become more effective in ministry. I would say that this is a must read for any church leader who is serious about being used by Christ.
Anyway, I believe that the hot topic that this book addresses and the church, in general, will need to address is women in leadership. I believe that this presidential election will have the deep ramifications on the church. I have a feeling that the next president will be a Democrat. I also believe that Hilary Clinton has a strong chance at it. Now I say this not knowing who I will vote for yet. I still have to complete my own research on the candidates. But, if Clinton does win the presidency, this will force the church to re-think the issue of women in leadership. If the church, in general, remains dogmatic about not having women in key leadership roles, then those churches will dye a slow death (my opinion). I am not saying that the pastors are men and then women can be “directors” of ministries. This is a side step of the issue that people outside the church can see right through. If a woman can run the country, why can’t a woman be a leader of a church? That will be a question that many outside the church will ask the church. Now, I understand that there are churches that have women pastors and elders. I am not thinking about these churches. I am talking about the churches who are still passionate and dogmatic about this issue.
This issue just stood out to me the most of all the issues Kimball wrote about. All the other issues are valid and the church needs to think, pray, and have tough conversations to become more effective in ministry. I would say that this is a must read for any church leader who is serious about being used by Christ.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
True forgiveness
We have all had people in our life that has beat us down, placed unrealistic expectations on us, and have sinned against us. But what do we do with that? It has been a hard journey for me but I have learned the true meaning of forgiveness. Sure I can say that I forgive people and still harbor resentment, bitterness, anger, and even rage. The true measure of forgiveness is found in what Christ did for us and remembering what we were forgiven from. I can look at my life and say that I was really forgiven much and I am truly grateful for that. The secret in true forgiveness is remembering what we were forgiven from and what Christ did for us and then project that to others who have sinned against us. I have learned when I do this simple thing; anger is dislodged from my heart, bitterness is subsided, resentment retreats, and resentment melts away. In a way I will always remember what others have done to me, but then I remember what Christ did for me. I can tell you from experience that thinking this way and remembering my salvation is freeing and I am starting to see the effects of this freedom is the relationships that are closest to me. I am truly thankful for forgiveness.
Ephesians 4: 32 “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Ephesians 4: 32 “And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
Friday, January 4, 2008
Why Can I Not Follow You Now?
I read this this morning and it really spoke to me. It comes from "My Utmost For His Highest" by Oswald Chambers.
"Peter said to Him, 'Lord why can i not follow you now?'" John 13: 37
There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.
At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, ’ . . . the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ " (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
"Peter said to Him, 'Lord why can i not follow you now?'" John 13: 37
There are times when you can’t understand why you cannot do what you want to do. When God brings a time of waiting, and appears to be unresponsive, don’t fill it with busyness, just wait. The time of waiting may come to teach you the meaning of sanctification— to be set apart from sin and made holy— or it may come after the process of sanctification has begun to teach you what service means. Never run before God gives you His direction. If you have the slightest doubt, then He is not guiding. Whenever there is doubt— wait.
At first you may see clearly what God’s will is— the severance of a friendship, the breaking off of a business relationship, or something else you feel is distinctly God’s will for you to do. But never act on the impulse of that feeling. If you do, you will cause difficult situations to arise which will take years to untangle. Wait for God’s timing and He will do it without any heartache or disappointment. When it is a question of the providential will of God, wait for God to move.
Peter did not wait for God. He predicted in his own mind where the test would come, and it came where he did not expect it. "I will lay down my life for Your sake." Peter’s statement was honest but ignorant. "Jesus answered him, ’ . . . the rooster shall not crow till you have denied Me three times’ " (John 13:38). This was said with a deeper knowledge of Peter than Peter had of himself. He could not follow Jesus because he did not know himself or his own capabilities well enough. Natural devotion may be enough to attract us to Jesus, to make us feel His irresistible charm, but it will never make us disciples. Natural devotion will deny Jesus, always falling short of what it means to truly follow Him.
A 2007 Reflection
As we start another year, I want to take a moment to reflect on 2007. What a year it was! We experienced mountain tops and valleys. It seems that the mountain tops were extremely high and then the valleys were extremely low.
On April 16 as the world watched the shootings taking place at Virginia Tech, Kelly, our families and I were celebrating the birth on Abigail Rose. What a blessing and a mountain top! She has definitely brought joy to our whole family.
Shortly after the birth of Abigail, I was fired from my job as the Family Ministries Pastor due to a financial crunch at the church we were serving. This was a definite low not only for the year but also for our career in ministry. We know that the Lord never wastes an experience and as I look back on the ripple effect of this, I see it as a blessing in disguise.
1. We are now closer to family
2. We are now in an authentic church that protects their pastors
3. I have learned the true meaning of forgiveness (I will be posting my thoughts on this in he near future).
4. The Lord continues to teach me about what kind of leader, Shepard, teacher, and pastor He desires me to be and become.
5. Along with that, the Lord is also teaching me what kind of leader He does not want me to become.
It was a year of high highs and low lows for us. We are still climbing out of the valley as we enter into 2008. But, we have faith that as we continue to strive after the Lord, we will continue to prove Himself faithful and true.
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